Blog Tour: Sulan by Camille Picott - Guest Post

Hey guys! Welcome to today's tour! So Sulan is a YA Dystopian, Cyberpunk story. It was published by Pixiu Press on the 4th of June this year. This is Episode 1: The League. The book looks amazing, just take a look! Sorry today's post is so late, by the way! Had exams today and this completely slipped my mind! Alright, its 2.30 am here now. Off to bed!

Sulan

Sixteen-year-old Sulan Hom can’t remember life before the Default—the day the United States government declared bankruptcy. As a math prodigy, she leads a protected life, kept safe from the hunger and crime plaguing the streets of America. She attends the corporate-sponsored Virtual High School, an academy in Vex (Virtual Experience) for gifted children.

Beyond the security of Sulan’s high-tech world, the Anti-American League wages a guerrilla war against the United States. Their leader, Imugi, is dedicated to undermining the nation’s reconstruction attempts. He attacks anything considered a national resource, including corporations, food storage facilities—and schools. When Sulan witnesses the public execution of a teenage student and the bombing of a college dorm, she panics.

Her mother, a retired mercenary, refuses to teach her how to defend herself. Sulan takes matters into her own hands. With the help of her hacker best friend, Hank, Sulan acquires Touch—an illegal Vex technology that allows her to share the physical experience of her avatar. With Touch, Sulan defies her mother and trains herself to fight.

When Imugi unleashes a new attack on the United States, Sulan finds herself caught in his net. Will her Vex training be enough to help her survive and escape?

Buy it from Kindle | Amazon Paperback | Audible

Camille Picott

Camille Picott has been writing books since the age of twelve. She specializes in science fiction and fantasy stories with Asian-inspired settings and Asian main characters. She is the author of two middle grade fantasy books, Raggedy Chan and Nine-Tail Fox.

In her spare time, Camille loves to read books and write reviews. Her reviews are written from a writer’s perspective, highlighting various aspects of craft found in the books she reads.

To visit Camille, and to read her book reviews, go to her Website.

Praise for Sulan, Episode 1: The League:

“This is a smart book, combining cyber-punk elements with a dystopian future. I really enjoyed Picott’s world-building and hope for a sequel to fill out the pieces we get. This is a fast-paced, smart young adult read that I think anyone interested in teen, dystopian, or cyber lit will enjoy.”- AliBird, Amazon Reviewer

“ I’m not a huge fan of cyberpunk, but Picott’s highly entertaining and witty YA novel completely won me over. Every chapter springs its own surprise and ends with a perfect cliff hanger that won’t let you put the book down. Sulan’s character is also a real gem. Her tenacity in the face of adverse circumstances — from being vertically challenged to dealing with villains — makes you root for her every step of the way.”- Arlene Ang, Amazon Reviewer

And now, let's welcome Camille to the blog to talk with us about dreams! It's really inspiring:) *claps hands*

Going After Your Dream

Today I’ve been asked to write about dreams. I’ve decided to share some of the details about my lifelong dream of becoming a professional author.

I started writing novels when I was twelve years old. I completed one novel in junior high, one in high school, one in college, and another one after college—none of which were ever published (though not for lack of trying). Some of the novels were HUGE—at least 150,000 words. I also started writing short stories after college, and had my first fiction publication at age 27. (Yep, that’s 15 years and four novels after I decided I wanted to be a writer.) I published my first book at age 30. (18 years and a U-Haul full of rejection letters later.)

I was the kid who got up early in junior high so I could write before I went to school. I was the teenager who skipped high school football games so I could stay home and write. I was the young adult who worked at Barnes and Noble until 11pm, then came home and stayed up late writing, then got up early and went to college. (My Dad still tells stories about getting up in the middle of the night and hearing me typing away in my bedroom.)

Sometimes I forget how long I’ve been pursuing my dream of becoming a professional author. I’ve been chasing it for 22 years. The desire is so ingrained in me that it’s become a part of who I am. Even though I have 3 published books under my belt, my ultimate pipe dream is to support my family with my writing.

I’ve learned a few things along the way. The most important of those is that failures are opportunities in disguise. I know, that sounds totally cheesy. But the fact that I’m not making a living at writing has helped me garner some great experiences that have enriched my story telling.

I currently have a career in purchasing, planning, and product development in the wine industry. (I love wine almost as much as I love my job and the company I work for.) The last 8 years I’ve spent in corporate America inspires much of Sulan, Episode 1: The League. If I hadn’t “failed” at writing, I never would have gone to work in corporate America, and I never would have learned many of the things that inform Sulan. As I look back on my writing career, I am glad I was forced to pursue other work that broadened my horizon.

All of life’s experiences can help shape your writing. As I live each day, I try to keep myself open to the opportunities and experiences as they are presented to me.

And, of course, I keep writing.

Thanks, Victoria, for hosting me on your blog today!

So yep, that's about it for today! Go here to check out the other tour stops! You'll find loads of awesome stuff on the other tour sites too! :D